Just a Head's Up: These Soap Brands Will Majorly Elevate Your Shower Game

No shade to your shower game, but if you think any ol' bar of soap is gonna get the job done, then you are v much mistaken, friend. After all, soap isn't just about cleansing—it's about protecting your skin barrier as well. Many "traditional" bar soaps are made with a harsh chemical called lye, which strips your skin of natural oils, whereas the best soap brands nowadays are not true "soaps," but rather soap-free cleansers that are gentler on the skin and have a more acidic pH. Not sure what to look for when shopping for a cleanser? We're here to help.

Meet the expert:

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.

Bar soap vs. liquid soap—which is better?

Bar soap gets a bad rap for being too alkaline, but believe it or not, liquid body washes aren't any more effective than bar soap. "Both liquid and bars are equally effective—the choice in formula depends on personal preference," says Zeichner. And while shower gels might be preferable for house guests, bar soaps have the benefit of using less energy in production and requiring less plastic and packaging in general, which is always a plus.

How to choose the best soap brand

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all body soap, as the best soap brand for you depends on your specific skin concerns. However! You should keep a few things in mind when trying to decide what kind of soap to get for your shower:

Skip the sulfates

Because the skin's pH is naturally slightly acidic (around 5.5), cleansing ingredients with an alkaline pH can disrupt the skin barrier and lead to irritation. That's why it's best to avoid sulfate-containing soap, especially if you have sensitive skin or eczema. "Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a harsh detergent that is very effective, but can be very drying," explains Zeichner. "In fact, it’s used in clinical trials as the positive control to elicit irritation in the skin in comparison to other products." Uh, yikes. So if you see sodium laureth and/or lauryl sulfate on an ingredients list, it's probs best to avoid.

Consider your skin sensitivity

Speaking of sensitive skin! Folks who tend to dry out or experience irritation more easily should try to steer clear of soap brands with fragrances. "For people who have sensitive skin, consider a fragrance-free option," Zeichner suggests. "In some cases, fragrances can lead to allergies and rashes in the skin."

Look for certain labels

If finding a soap brand that's natural and/or organic is important to you, then you'll wanna look for labels from USDA Organic, Made Safe, EcoCert, or B Corp, which are independent groups that vet everything from a product's safety to its environmental impact. Natural formulas tend to forgo sulfates and other harsh chemicals for gentler surfactants and plant-based ingredients, and they're almost always better the environment, too. Win-win!

Our top soap brand picks of 2022

• Best overall soap brand: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar
• Best soap brand for dry skin: Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
• Best exfoliating soap brand: Glossier Body Hero Exfoliating Bar
• Best soap brand for acne: SheaMoisture African Black Soap
• Best drug store soap brand: Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
• Best face and body soap brand: Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar
• Best moisturizing soap brand: Peach Moisturizing Hand & Body Bar
• Best smelling soap brand: Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit Oval Soap

Ahead, all best soap brands that'll have you smelling like a rose and feeling smooth as a bb.